19 March 2025

The Regional Government of Andalusia this afternoon formalized its official support for Granada’s candidacy as European Capital of Culture 2031 during an institutional ceremony held at the San Telmo Palace in Seville. The president, Juanma Moreno, received the mayor of Granada, Marifrán Carazo, in a meeting that significantly bolsters the institutional backing for the Granada 2031 project as the selection process enters its final stages.

From now on, the Regional Government of Andalusia and the City Council of Granada will work closely and steadfast cooperation to consolidate the Andalusian character of the project. A bid that highlights the uniqueness and cultural richness of Andalusia as a whole, viewing culture as a driver for economic modernization and international projection for a region whose heritage, creativity, and diversity are among its greatest assets for the future.

As the President of the Regional Government stated, “Even before the final decision on the chosen city is made, the showcase is already unbeatable for expanding the image of a Granada and an Andalusia that are modern, open, and overwhelmingly attractive; there is no better way than through culture to show who we are and what we are capable of, because presenting Granada and Andalusia through the lens of culture is to open an extraordinary window to the world.” To which he added that “Granada is a winning bet and that is exactly how we must tell it to the world. If we believe it, others will too.”

For her part, the mayor of Granada, Marifrán Carazo, expressed her gratitude for the Regional Government’s backing, as well as the fact that Granada becomes the project that represents all Andalusians: “Today’s ceremony marks a vital step toward the European Capital of Culture 2031.” We receive this support with the honor and responsibility of representing not only a city, but almost nine million Andalusians. The support of President Juanma Moreno and the Regional Government of Andalusia is much more than an institutional gesture: it is a statment that this project belongs to all of Andalusia.”

The councilor highlitghed that the bid reaches this phase of the process after passing the first cut last Friday with the rigor, enthusiasm, and unity that have characterized it from the beginning and now additionally, with the strength of an entire region.” “Grenada has built a solid bid, with more than 350 entities already on board, a consolidated and effective governance model and an entire province fully committed to the project. Today we add to that citizen force the support of our autonomous community. That makes us bigger and at the same time, it demands even more responsibility from us to achieve the excellence of our project.”

Carazo wished to extend her direct and sincere gratitude to the President of the Regional Government for his personal involvement. “I want to thank President Juanma Moreno for this support: “We pledge to live up to that trust and to present the best possible bid when the moment for the final decision arrives.”

The final decision on which Spanish city will represent the country as European Capital of Culture 2031 will be made at the end of this year. Granada faces this final stretch with a far-reaching cultural and urban project, the unanimous backing of its local and provincial institutions, and now, the formal support of the Regional Government of Andalusia